How to Weight Your Driver for Best Results / Counterbalance vs Head Weight vs Both 

I would like to thank Elite Fit Golf for keeping it real. Cheers, JJ

I loved see the carry distance. I currently have a 30 gram counter weight in my shaft. And I’m finding more fairways and just feel confident with it now that I’m use to it. Watching this video makes me want to go buy some powder and corks and see what happens if I add more weight to the bottom of the shaft now. Cheers. Best golf content on RU-vid.

After watching your video I did the same to my driver, can't wait to try it, exact same shaft but a TSr2 head.

I bought a ping G430 LST and got a counterbalanced shaft HZDUS Yellow Smoke and gained 4 mph. I like the way how it feels compared to my TaylorMade Stealth 2 plus Ventus black 7x setup. Guess Ping will stay in the bag longer.

Great segment of thanks for doing the video. In the past I have used tape and counterbalance with various results. It makes me wonder what of any benefits now, given change in age, other factors surgeries etc. Thanks again love your channel.

Great video!! Thanks!!

Excellent video. I have been testing this type of Driver changes over this winter in the SIMM. The only data that would have been interesting to see is how the overall club weight changed in the four configurations. In my case, I am finding for my Taylormade SIM driver at 47" is 323 gram overall. I am still playing with the configurations somewhat but, I think I am close to a Driver set-up for this summer.

Just when I needed this. I've been experimenting with lightweight/high launch/CB shafts in a Paradym TD head (which has 2 head weights but only a 2 and 12 gram in the MOI arrangement, so not much I could do to lessen the head weight). with a 40 gram shaft (Vanquish 4R) I get over D8 or more IIRC. Seems like I should try a CB 25gm in the grip. I have an ES14 launch monitor so I should be able to check launch/spin/carry numbers. I noticed in your testing the spin numbers were much lower with the head weight in your case. Boy you make it look easy to drive 300yds. I consider myself lucky to drive it over 230yds, though I'm 71 so that is a consideration (SS high 80's). Have also been trying different HL lightweight fw & hybrid shafts and the results so far have been great (with a hands ahead at impact swing I do have a low launch issue - love the height I'm getting with diamana red in the 5h). Right now every shaft from driver to 5 hybrid (6 clubs) is different!

Good video! Thx for the summary. I play a lot with head weight and find E1 is stable, but with a 50g shaft, 45”, and a light 30g grip.

Love the video - Doesn't this suggest a couple things - that possibly a heavier shaft all together, say 8s instead of 6s might be the answer? Would love to see a video where you do this same thing, but with say a 50 gram, 65gram, and 80 gram shaft. Have 9 conditions + standard: 50g normal d2, 50g c6, 50g d8, compare against this video for middle scenario, then 80g d2, 80g c6, 80g d8. Your video here suggests the heavier it is...the more consistency (for you). Would be curious if there is a limit - where distance dramatically starts falling off or you don't get incremental gains in dispersion

Please do a video on getting started with club building a series would be awesome but that's asking alot I know lol

Nice video! I would assume that using a heavier shaft weight (75g) would do roughly the same, but if you could keep the launch angle between 10-12° getting 300yrds would seem doable while keeping it in the fairway. Keep up the great work!

I play G410 with Tensai Orange which is counter balanced shaft. You can feel the weight under the hands. I was at a PXG fitting the other day and it was swing weighted a D9 which I was surprised by.

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This test would perhaps be more revealing for an 80 to 90 club head speed perhaps.

So are you going to play the increased head wt/counterbalanced combo?

Can you do something on Swing weight vs actual weight? Is it that the head weighted one actually weighs more or that the swing weight is quite heavy that makes it better?

I am wondering if you can add the Opti-vibe weight near the balance point of the driver, thus adding say 20 gram of total weight without changing the swing weight. I am curious what the results would be.

I know irons and driver swing weight are not necessarily correlated. I'm noticing I prefer a heavier swing weight in the driver d4-d5 and d3 in the irons. My irons are single length set to 36.5 and driver at 44.5.

looks like you should pull the tape and the counter weight and go back to stock. Cuz basically one cancelled out the other. Maybe just shorten your shaft 1/2 to 1 inch so you can control the club better and hit it in the center more often. All the tour pros are swinging a 44-45 in driver.

So where should the tape go on the head, the back front center? I saw your video on counterbalance in the shaft, put this looks cheaper😂.

What would happen if you added weight to the base of the shaft? Around the shaft, but not on the clubhead?

I have the Callaway rogue swing weight D1 my New Callaway paradym is D3.5 swing weight, however, I hit the rogue further than the paradym just can not get use to the weight of the paradym I know the head weight is heavier however, it feels lighter. If that makes sense

It's shockingly apparent that your Professional experience doesn't include Pre-computer Professional competition. 30 years ago lead tape was something that you would find in the bag of most Pros. We learned that the positioning of the weight had more impact than the amount of the weight. Just slapping a chunk on the center of the sole of the club is going to have only a subtle impact compared to many other positions. Regardless, you seem like a nice young man and will probably be an asset to our Profession. Good Luck and Be Well

A heavy head makes the shaft flex less stiff too.

what was the raw head weight of the head?...

What about the shaft type or weight . I was using 55 grams weight regular shaft and now is 60+ stiff and from D0 to D3. So are you saying all this club fitting is just of time and money

Can you do a video on which combination helps close the driver face, struggling with a open face with driver

Will the lead tape come off

so heavier shaft better?

How would you compare the 4th set up vs. just having heavier weight shaft, maybe in the 75-85 gram range? Curious to know.

Best numbers is the higher swingweight? What the next step? Try different shafts at that swingweight to see if you can improve distance and/ or dispurstion?

As a club fitter, what cord grip have you seen people have the most satisfaction with? Especially regarding durability or rather lack of slickness

Will a heavier grip have the same feel and effect as a counter balance weight?

Very few Drivers are offered with Counter weights. It is mainly used in Drivers for people with slower club head speed. You are obviously a faster swinger.

very interesting vid. I assume that the counterbalancing and extra head weight is just making a heavier driver and that provided you had a swing weight of D2, say, a heavier weighted shaft (ie 60g plus 25g =75g for the shaft weight) would achieve the same thing?

Curious why you wouldn’t try variations of less weight than standard. Removing head weights, removing head weights and adding counterweights, shortening shaft and removing head weights, etc. adding weight is not always going to be the answer and that’s all you tested.

AJ, I have just released screw from Driiver On TaylorMade Max 2 Draw, but am having difficulty removing shaft, to change loft. Any help appreciated. Mick

i counter weight and add stiffness.

Random placement of head weight! Would like to have seen it wrapped around the rear of the club to stabilise the face

Isn't it 2g of head weight = 1 sw pt? If so then 8g of lead tape would be D2 + 4 = D6 sw?

didnt u do this video already?

Is there a standard for driver length based on your height? Like if you are 5'8" say then you need a 44" driver .

Are you at 10000 ft elevation? That swing doesn't look fast enough to produce those numbers.

Adding 8 grams isn't going to bump it 6 swing weight points.

Way more consistent isn’t very precise. Should have a chart showing distance and dispersion. Waste of time.

Your golf swing just mediocre improve your technique than don't have to mess with weights